ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has requested assurance from the attorney general that the military will confine its activities to defense-related matters and refrain from engaging in commercial ventures.
The request for assurance came during a hearing of a petition challenging commercial activities taking place on military-owned land.
CJP Isa highlighted that the military has ventured into business activities, such as operating marriage halls on its land.
Consequently, he sought confirmation from the attorney general that the military would uphold its role as a protector and abstain from business pursuits.
“Do you assure this?” CJP Isa queried the attorney general, emphasizing the importance of adhering to respective mandates.
“The army ought to focus on its designated responsibilities while the courts fulfill theirs,” Chief Justice said.
In response, AGP Mansoor Usman Awan stated that as per principle, everyone should do their job.
CJP Isa, nevertheless, insisted that if the AGP had the directives then he should give the assurance to the court.
On this point lawyer for the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) intervened and told the court that the building from which the dispute started belonged to his client. He added that the allottees sold the land based on fake documents and now a five-story building sits there.
At this, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that the ETPB was a bystander when the five-story building was being constructed.
However, CJP Isa observed that it would not have been possible without the involvement of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). He then further remarked that the assets of officers above the rank of inspector at the SBCA should be checked.
“The Karachi sub registry’s assets should also be audited by the FBR. The residents of demolished buildings should receive money from all assets beyond means,” said the CJP. He also added that the Sindh government would never do an inquiry on this.
